Cong's Surjewala mounts 'Charlie Tornado air blast machine' to sanitise Kaithal; dares CM

Senior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala on Saturday started a sanitisation campaign by spraying 'Sodium hypochlorite' in Haryana's Kaithal - his old constituency - and also asked the Manohar Lal Khattar led government to get this "life-saving spray" for the whole state. Surjewala posted a picture of him driving a tractor accompanied by his followers and wrote,

'The Congress Party started the campaign to spray 'Sodium hypochlorite' drug from the Charlie Tornado Aero Blast Machine to provide safety from COVID-19.'

Trouble for Surjewala?

However, the sanitisation drive might land Surjewala in trouble as according to media reports, a complaint has been filed against him and his supporters for violation of prohibitory orders and disregard of social distancing norms.

Congress hits out at govt

The Congress on Saturday criticised the government for allowing the export of diagnostic equipment until now, asking it who was "weakening the fight" against coronavirus. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said it was shocking that the government had been permitting the export of diagnostic equipment until now.

"Testing and Diagnostics are imperative in the fight against COVID2019. Till 19th March and 24th March, the government permitted export of masks, sanitizers and ventilators. Even more shocking is the fact that the government permitted the export of Diagnostic equipment till date. Who is weakening the fight," he tweeted.

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The Congress has been critical of the government for allowing the export of masks, sanitisers and ventilators till March 24, when the policy was amended after a shortage of such equipment in the country.

On Saturday, the government put curbs on export of diagnostic kits with immediate effect."The export of diagnostic kits (diagnostic or laboratory reagents on a backing, preparation diagnostic or laboratory reagents)... is restricted with immediate effect," the Directorate General of Foreign Trade said in a notification.

Confirmed COVID-19 cases in India have jumped to 3,374, according to the Union Health Ministry. The Health Ministry has said that there are 3,030 active cases of COVID-19 in India and 267 patients have recovered so far. The death toll because of the deadly virus has risen to 77. 

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